TO: University Curriculum Committee
UCC-14-033
TO: University Curriculum Committee
FROM: UCGE
RE: Regulation J-3
DATE: October 30, 2013
Note: To save on space I have shortened the lists of Humanities, Social Science, American Diversity, International and Senior Experience courses for this agenda item. The full lists will appear as normal in the General Catalog.
UCC-14-033
J-3. Subject Requirements (General Education Curriculum). First-year students (see Admissions Status) are to complete the University of Idaho general education curriculum. A university education is a preparation both for living and for making a living. It offers an opportunity not only to lay the foundations of a career, but also to develop the mind to its highest potential, to cultivate the imagination as well as the power to reason, and to gain the intellectual curiosity that makes education a life-long enterprise. A central component of this preparation is the requirement that a student working toward a baccalaureate degree must complete the necessary course work in the four six categories described below (J-3-a through J-3-f). This requirement is to be satisfied by earning the minimum number of credits specified for each category. Within the J-3-d, J-3-e, J-3-f categories, students must complete a total of 18 credits, with courses from at least four different disciplines. The ISem courses may not be counted towards the four discipline requirement. (Transfer students have two options for fulfilling this requirement; these are described under “General Education Requirements for Transfer Students" in the Undergraduate Admission section of this catalog). Courses that fulfill requirements in each category are reviewed each year and the list is updated in the Spring. Students and advisors are encouraged to check the list when it is published in the Spring to be aware of any additional courses that have been added to meet specific requirements. Courses that are approved to satisfy a general education requirement can be used to satisfy those requirements even if the course is completed prior to being approved as a general education course.
Note: Remedial courses may not be used to satisfy any of this requirement. Degree-seeking students must be enrolled in Engl 090, Engl 101, or Engl 102 in their first semester in residence and in each subsequent semester until they have passed Engl 102. They must also be enrolled in Math 108 or in a course that meets the general education requirement in mathematics, statistics, or computer science in their first year in residence and in each subsequent semester until the general education requirement in mathematics, statistics, or computer science has been satisfied.
J-3-a. Communication (5-7 cr). The purpose of this requirement is to develop the ability to organize one's thoughts, to express them simply and clearly, to observe the standards and conventions of language usage, and to suit tone to audience. The requirement is proficiency in written English equal to that needed for the completion of UI course Engl 102 and the completion of one additional course in this category.
Public Speaking. Students who receive a passing grade in Comm 101, Fundamentals of Public Speaking, are expected to develop and demonstrate the ability to make oral presentations in one-on-one settings, small groups, and large groups. Students should be able to demonstrate basic competency in (1) organization and preparation, (2) oral language use and presentation, and (3) addressing audience needs and interests.
Written English. Students who receive a passing grade in any of the six English classes included in the general education are expected to develop and demonstrate competencies in their writing in (1) organization and development, (2) sentence variety and word choice, and (3) language usage conventions.
The following specific provisions apply to the English composition component:
- Students who attain a satisfactory score on the College Board English Achievement or Scholastic Aptitude (Verbal) Test or the American College Testing (ACT) English Test will be awarded credit and grades of P for Engl 101 and Engl 102. Also, students who attain a score of 4 on the Advanced Placement Test in English will be awarded credit and a grade of P for Engl 101 and students who attain a score of 5 on the Advanced Placement Test in English will be awarded credit and grades of P for Engl 101 and Engl 102.
- Students who do not meet the conditions stated in paragraph (1) will be tentatively placed, on the basis of their scores on the tests cited above, in either Engl 101 or Engl 102.
- UI accepts credits earned in comparable writing courses taken at other accredited institutions. (See credit limitation in J-5-d.)
Comm 101 Fundamentals of Public Speaking (2 cr)
Engl 207 Persuasive Writing (3 cr)
Engl 208 Personal and Exploratory Writing (3 cr)
Engl 313 Business Writing (3 cr)
Engl 316 Environmental Writing (3 cr)
Engl 317 Technical Writing (3 cr)
Phil 102 Reason and Rhetoric (2 cr)
J-3-b. Natural and Applied Science (8 cr which include two accompanying labs OR 7 cr which includes a CORS course and one course with lab). The purpose of this requirement is to develop a better understanding of the physical and biological world by learning some of the principles that explain the natural phenomena of the universe, the experimental method used to derive those principles, and their applications.
Study in this area is undertaken as part of the general education requirements in order to promote scientific literacy, that is, the ability to read and understand the science issues being debated in society. Scientific literacy is essential if citizens are to make informed judgments on the wide range of issues that affect their everyday lives. Students receiving passing grades in the natural and applied science courses of the general education curriculum will demonstrate competency in the following areas: (1) knowledge of scientific principles; (2) the ability to write clearly and concisely using the style appropriate to the sciences; (3) the ability to interpret scientific data; (4) the ability to analyze experimental design critically; and (5) the development of laboratory skills.
Biol 102, 102L Biology and Society and Lab(4 cr)
Biol 115 Cells and the Evolution of Life (4 cr)
Biol 116 Organisms & Environments (4 cr)
Chem 101 Introduction to Chemistry I (4 cr) OR Chem 111 Principles of Chemistry I (4 cr)
Chem 112 Principles of Chemistry II (5 cr)
CORS 205-297 Integrated Science (3 or 4 cr)
EnvS 101 Introduction to Environmental Science, and EnvS 102 Field Activities in Environmental Sciences (4 cr)*
Geog 100, 100L Physical Geography and Lab (4 cr)
Geol 101, 101L Physical Geology and Lab (4 cr)
Geol 102, 102L Historical Geology (4 cr)
MMBB 154 and MMBB 155/Biol 155 Introductory Microbiology and Lab (4 cr)*
MMBB 250 and MMBB 255/Biol 255 General Microbiology and Lab (5 cr)*
Phys 100, 100L Fundamentals of Physics and Lab(4 cr)
Phys 103, 104 General Astronomy and Lab (4 cr)*
Phys 111, 111L General Physics I and Lab (4 cr)
Phys 112, 112L General Physics II and Lab (4 cr)
Phys 211, 211L Engineering Physics I and Lab (4 cr)
Phys 212, 212L Engineering Physics II and Lab (4 cr)
Soil 205, 206 The Soil Ecosystem and Lab (4 cr)*
*To be counted toward satisfaction of this requirement, the full four or five credits (that is, both the lecture course and the accompanying laboratory course) must be completed.
J-3-c. Mathematics, Statistics, or Computer Science (3 cr). These courses develop analytical, quantitative, and problem solving skills by involving students in doing mathematics, statistics, or computer science and by focusing on understanding the concepts of these disciplines.
Students receiving passing grades in mathematics, statistics, or computer science will have the ability to recognize, analyze, and solve problems.
CS 101 Introduction to Computer Science (3 cr)
CS 112 Introduction to Problem Solving and Programming (3 cr)
Math 123 Mathematics Applied to the Modern World (3 cr)
Math 130 Finite Mathematics (3 cr)
Math 137 Algebra with Applications (3 cr)
Math 143 Pre-calculus Algebra and Analytic Geometry (3 cr)
Math 160 Survey of Calculus (4 cr)
Math 170 Analytic Geometry and Calculus I (4 cr)
Math 175 Analytic Geometry and Calculus II (4 cr)
Math 275 Analytic Geometry and Calculus III (3 cr)
Stat 150 Introduction to Statistics (3 cr)
Stat 251 Statistical Methods (3 cr)
J-3-d. Humanities (6 cr) and Social Sciences (6 cr). The purpose of these liberal arts courses is to provide students with critical tools for understanding the human experience and providing the means for students to respond to the world around them.
Humanities courses enable students to reflect upon their lives and ask fundamental questions of value, purpose, and meaning in a rigorous and systematic interpretative manner, with the goal of fostering understanding of culture and inspiring a citizenry that is more literate, respectful of diverse viewpoints, and intellectually inquisitive.
Social science courses enable students to apply rigorous analytic skills for the purpose of explaining the dynamic interaction among history, institutions, society and ideas that shape the behaviors of individuals, communities and societies. With these skills students can critically address the social issues of our contemporary world.
J-3-d. General Core Studies (18 cr): Within the requirements below, students must complete at least one upper division course, and must complete courses from at least three different disciplines. Integrated Seminar courses may not be counted towards the three discipline requirement.
1. Integrated Seminar (3 cr): One course from ISem 101-199 (open to freshmen only).
2. Humanities (6 cr): Six credits chosen from the approved humanities courses listed below.
3. Social Sciences (6 cr): Six credits chosen from the approved social science courses listed below.
4. International Course: One course chosen from the approved international courses listed below. If a student takes a Great Issues Seminar (ISem 301), Humanities, or Social Science course that also appears on the list of approved International courses then this requirement is considered to be completed. This requirement may be waived if a student successfully completes an approved Summer, Fall, or Spring term abroad through the International Programs Office.
5. American Diversity: One course chosen from the approved American Diversity courses listed below. If a student takes a Great Issues Seminar (ISem 301), Humanities, or Social Science course that also appears on the list of approved American Diversity courses then this requirement is considered to be completed.
6. Great Issues (1 cr): One credit of ISem 301.
7. Senior Experience: One course chosen from the approved Senior Experience courses listed below.
8. Additional Course(s) (3 cr): Additional coursework to total 18 credits chosen from the approved senior experience, humanities, social sciences, american diversity, and international courses listed below.
Approved Humanities Courses:
AmSt 301 Studies in American Culture (3 cr)
Art 100 World Art and Culture (3 cr)
…
Approved Social Science Courses:
Anth 100 Introduction to Anthropology (3 cr)
Anth 220 Peoples of the World (3 cr)
…
J-3-e. American Diversity (One course) and International (One course or an approved study abroad experience). As we live in an increasingly diverse and multicultural world, the purpose of these courses is to prepare students to understand, communicate and collaborate with those from diverse communities within the United States and throughout the world.
The American diversity courses seek to increase awareness of contemporary and historical issues surrounding the social and cultural diversity in the U.S. Students engage in critical thinking and inquiry into the issues, complexities, and implications of diversity, and how social, economic, and/or political forces have shaped American communities. Diversity includes such characteristics as ability, age, ethnicity, gender, race, religion, sexual orientation, and socioeconomic status
One course chosen from the approved American diversity courses listed below. If a student takes a Great Issues Seminar (ISem 301), Humanities, or Social Science course that also appears on the list of approved American diversity courses, then this requirement is considered to be completed.
The international courses seek to develop an understanding of international values, belief systems and social issues that have contributed to current balances of power and cultural relations. Students develop an understanding of the roles that the United States and other countries have played in global relations and the ways cultures have interacted and influenced each other.
One course chosen from the approved international courses listed below. If a student takes a Great Issues Seminar (ISem 301), Humanities, or Social Science course that also appears on the list of approved International courses, then this requirement is considered to be completed. The international requirement may be waived if a student successfully completes an approved Summer, Fall, or Spring term abroad through the International Programs Office.*
Approved International Courses:
AgEc 481 Agricultural Markets in a Global Economy (3 cr)
AgEd 406 Exploring International Agriculture (3 cr)
…
Approved American Diversity Courses:
AIST 320 The Celluloid Indian: American Indians in Popular Film (3 cr)
AIST 401 Contemporary American Indian Issues (3 cr)
…
J-3-f. Integrated Studies - ISem 101 Integrative Seminar (3 cr), ISem 301 Great Issues (1 cr), and Senior Experience. The purpose of these courses is to provide students with the tools of integrative thinking, which are critical for problem solving, creativity and innovation, and communication and collaboration. Integrated learning is the competency to attain, use, and develop knowledge from a variety of disciplines and perspectives, such as the arts, humanities, sciences, and social sciences, with disciplinary specialization (to think divergently, distinguishing different perspectives), and to incorporate information across disciplines and perspectives (to think convergently, re-connecting diverse perspectives in novel ways). It is a cumulative learning competency, initiated as a first-year student and culminating as reflected in a graduating senior.
One course from ISem 101 (open to freshmen only). One credit of ISem 301. One course chosen from the approved Senior Experience courses listed below.*
Approved Senior Experience Courses:
AgEc 478 Advanced Agribusiness Management (3 cr)
Art 490 BFA Art/Design Studio (6 cr, max 12)
…
*Within the J-3-d, J-3-e, J-3-f categories, students must complete a total of 18 credits, with courses from at least four different disciplines. The ISem courses may not be counted towards the four discipline requirement.